Helicopter Flight Information
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Helicopter Flight Information |
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When you review this analysis, the choice is clear...The chart below demonstrates that the Robinson R66 Turbine Helicopter is far ahead of the competition when compared to all other light turbine helicopters in the same class manufactured today. And better still, the Robinson is really made in USA, not just some components or just assembled in the USA. Shading in the chart below indicates: best in class, worst in class, average or better in class. It is very difficult to sort through the publications presented by the manufacturers as they all tend to bend the data slightly. Robinson had the clearest most accurate data, therefore fuel costs were all adjusted to match Robinson's most realistic fuel price at $4.50 per gallon. Some manufactures showed as low as $2.25 per gallon which is clearly unrealistic and ancient pricing. Horse power is the other area of obvious significance. Robinson's RR300 is de-rated to 224 continuous horsepower, and to 270 for take-off. The 420 horse RR250C20 in all other aircraft is de-rated for a variety of reasons. For example in the Bell Jet Ranger, the transmission is the limiting factor at 270 continuous horse power. It is unclear as to whether or not the horse power is further limited by drive train for the MD 500 from what is shown in the chart below. As in the past, Robinson has strived to make the time between overhauls simplistic and reasonable. The R66 TBO is 2,000 hours with the engine being the same. Since the engine is a turbine, there is also a limitation of 3,000 start cycles which means that as long as you average no more than 1 start every 40-minutes, you will time out, while if you average more starts than that, you will cycle out. This cycle limitation remains roughly the same as other turbine engines. It has long been the standard that as long as start cycles remains less then engine hours, you will time out which would be the obvious goal. Robinson also has a good deal on the price of engine swapping as they have in the past with their piston engines. See also: Hot Refueling
* Payload equals available load for passengers and baggage at full fuel. NR = No Reserve. CHP = Continuous Horse Power. DOC = Direct Operating Cost as published by Manufacturer. ** DOC is as posted from the manufacturer but has been adjusted to level the fuel cost at $4.50 per gallon. Fuel burn is compared in miles per gallon (nautical mpg) as well as gallons per hour for a just comparison of potential distance covered in cruise flight.
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